Main Story

Northwest Nazarene opens its 2026-27 season Saturday by hosting Walla Walla during Homecoming weekend. The exhibition gives the Nighthawks a first look at their returning NCAA Tournament players and new additions before regular-season play begins next week.

By the Numbers
  • NNU went 18-11 overall and 12-6 in GNAC play last season.
  • Walla Walla finished 1-25 overall and 1-19 in conference play.
  • Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Johnson Sports Center.
State of Play
  • NNU was picked third in the GNAC preseason poll after reaching the NCAA West Region Championships for a second straight season.
  • Walla Walla was picked 11th in the Cascade Collegiate Conference poll and returns several contributors, including 7-foot center Soren Dalan.
  • The game includes NNU’s Athletics Hall of Fame induction ceremony at halftime.
What's Next

After Saturday’s exhibition, NNU hosts College of Idaho on Nov. 10, then opens regular-season play at the San Francisco State tournament on Nov. 13-14.

Bottom Line

Saturday is a Homecoming preview, not the start of NNU’s regular-season schedule—but it offers an early chance to see whether last season’s postseason experience can carry into a new campaign.